Date of Conferral
2018
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Health Services
Advisor
Magdeline Aagard
Abstract
Health disparities have mostly affected African Americans who are poor, uninsured, under insured and unemployed. This population of African Americans seek spiritual solace and social counseling from their pastors, and church-based health promotion (CBHP) offers the opportunity to reach millions of the U. S. Black population. The lack of studies on female African American pastors implementing congregational health promotion activities influenced this study. This qualitative study helped in understanding the experiences, perspectives, and influences of 13 female African American Christian pastors on health-related issues within their congregation. Feminist theory and CBHP model guided this qualitative case study. Open-ended interview questions, field notes, and audio recordings were used to collect data. Data analysis was done using constant comparison method. Open coding and categorizing were done to develop the final themes and subthemes for the study. This research study has the potential for other researchers to replicate this study elsewhere in the United States. Potential positive social change may lead to increase in young female pastors in the churches. Possible social change benefits also include the increase of African American female pastors implementing CBHP activities in their own churches, change in congregation's health behaviors and habits, and improved health status.
Recommended Citation
Obazee, Arlene, "Congregational Health Promotion by African American Female Pastors in the Christian Faith" (2018). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 5920.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5920
